The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-05-27
TALMAGE'S SERMON.
a Discourse Upon Things Dore
Under the Mantle OF Night
The Dark Deeds that Are Continually BE.
Ing Enacted in the Third Watch In
the Great Cities-Darkness and
Crime Hand I'm Hand.

Tabernacle on a hasty trip behind the
night scenes in the great cities, picturing
the crimes and poverty existing and the
many dangers and pitfalls to be Stunned.
His text was:
Waterman, what Of the night! Isaiah xxi. II.
When night came down on Babylon.
Ninevah and Jerusalem, they needed care
full watching, otherwise the lncendiary's
torch might have been thrust into the
very heart of the metropolitan splendor;
or enemies, marching from the hills, might
have forced the gates. All night long, on
top of the wall and in front of the gates
might be heard the measured step of the
Waterman on his solitary beat; silence
hung in the air, save as some passer- by
raised the question: "Waichman, what
OF the nisht!'
The ancients divided their night into
four PARASITIC first watch, from six to
nine: the second. from nine to twelve; the
third, from twelve to three; and the
fourth, from three TO six.
speak now of the city in the third
watch, or from twelve to three o'clock.
Inever weary of looking upon the life
and brilliancy of the city in the first
watch. That is the hour when the stores
are closing The laborng men, having
quilted the scaffolding and the shop, are
on their way home. 1t rejoices me to give
them my seat in the city car. They have
stood and hammered away all day. Their
feet are weary. They are exhausted
with the tug Of work. They are most
cheerful. With appetites sharpened on
the swift turner's wheel and the carpen-
ter's milestone. they seek the evening
meal. The clerks, too, have broken saway
from the counter. and with brain weary
of the long line of figures and the whims
of those who go a-shopping, seek the face
of mother or wife and child. The mer-
chants are embarrassing themselves
from their anXieties on their way up the
street. The boys that lock up are heav-
ing away at the shutters, showing the
heavy bolts and taking last look at the
fire to see that all is safe. The streets
are thronged with young men, setting
out from the great centers of bargain
making.
Let idlers clear the street, and give
right Of way to the besweated artisans
and merchantsl They have earned their
bread and are now on their way home to
get it.
The lights in full Jet hang over 10000
evening repasts-the parents at either
end of the table, the children between.
IL,
fam lies"
A few hours later, and all the places of
amusement, good and bad, are in full tide.
Lovers of art, catalogue in hand. stroll
through galleries and discuss the pict-
ures. The bail is Respondent with
the rich apparel of those who, on either
side of the white, glistening boards,
await the signal from the orchestra. The
footlights of the theater flash up; the bell
rings, and the curtain rises: and out from
the gorgeous scenery glide the actors,
greeted with the vocferation of the
expectant multtudes Concert halls
are lifted into enchantment with
the MARBLE of one songstress, or swept
out on a sea of tumultuous feeling by the
blast of brazen instruments. Drawing
rooms are filed with all gracefulness Of
apparel. with all sweetness of sound, with
all splendor of manner; mirrors are
catching up and multiplying the scene,
until it seems as if in infinite corridors
there We're garlanded groups advancing
and re,reating.
The outdoor air rings with laughter,
and with the moving to and fro of thou
sands on the great promenades. The
dashing span adrip with the foam of the
long country ride, rushes past as you halt
III the curbstone.
Mirth, revelry, beauty fashion, magnif-
icence mingle in the great metropolitan
picture until the thinking man goes home
to think more seriously, and the praying
man to pray more earnestly
A beautiful and overwhelming thing is
the city in the first and second watches Of
the night.
But the clock strikes twelve and the
third watch has begun
There are honest men passing up and
down the street Here is city mis- sion
airy who has been carrying a scuttle of
coal to that poor family in that dark
place. Here is an undertaken going up
the steps of a building from which comes
a bitter cry which indicates that the
destroying angel has smitten the first
born. Here is a minister of religion who
has been giving the sacrament TO dying
Christian. Here is physician passing
along in great haste. the messenger few
sters ahead hurrying on to the household
Nearly all the lights have gone out IN the
dwellings, for it is the third watch of the
night. That light in the window is the
light Of the watcher, for the medicines
must be administered, and the fever must
be watched. and the. restless tossing of
of the covelid must be resisted, and the
ice must be kept on hot temples, and the
perpetual prayer must 60 up frem hearts
soon TO be broken.
Oh. the third watch of the night! What
a stupendous thought-a whole city at
rest.
Weary arm preparing for to-morrow's
toll Hot brain being cooled off. Rigid
muscles relaxed. Excited nerves soothed.
The white hair of the octogenarian in thin
drifts across the pillow, fresh fall of
fakes on snow already fallen. Childhood
with its dimpled hands thrown out on the
pillow and with every breath taking in
new store of fun and frolc. Third watch
of the night! Gods SUM berless eye will
look. Let one great wave of refreshing
Slumber roll over the heart of a great
town, submerging care, and anxiety, and
worrIment and pain.
Let the city sleep But, my friends, be
not deceived. There will be thousands
tonight who will not sleep at all. Go up
that dark alley, and be cautious where
you tread, lest you fall over the PROSTATE
form of a drunkard lying on his own door
step. Look about you. lest you feel the
garroter's hug. Look through the broken
window-pane, and see what you can see.
y GU say: Nothing" Then listen. What
IS its God help psr' No footlights, but
tragedy ghastlier and mightier than Ris-
tori or Edwin Booth ever enacted No
hght, no fire, no bread, no hope. SILVER
ang IN the cold, they have had no food for
twenty-1our hours. You say: ''Why dom.
they begs' They do, but they get moth
ing. You say: 'Why don't they deliver
themselves over to the almshousew All,
you would not ask that if you ever heard
the bitter cry Of man or child when told
he must go to the almshouse.
''Or' you say, ''they are vicious Door.
and. therefore, they do not deserve ON.